Posted on 06/09/2006 7:43:16 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
Germany, the hosts of the 18th FIFA World Cup™, kick off the tournament on Friday against Costa Rica in Munich (LIVE on ABC at 11:00AM ET).
This represents a change to a tradition established back in 1974 which saw the defending world champions having the honour of getting the proceedings under way. The other two teams in Group A, Poland and Ecuador, will fight it out later in the evening.
I was referring to the double-doink goal by Ecuador.
Ah!
never mind
(beer's on me!)
LOL
The Polish defense looks very slow in their own box. Tenorio just dribbled around 3 of them.
Poland can't lose this game and expect to advance. They won't be able to take points from Germany and it's impossible to advance with 3 points.
Its hard to get games here at the office...
Ecuador is playing very aggresively. Poland seemed a little surprised by it, but seemed to be coming around there towards the end of the half.
I do enjoy the Irish commentator though. I feel like driking a stout.
This looks like being one of the weakest groups. I'm glad because England get to play either the first or second place team in this group when we reach the knockout stage.
I was just think the same thing. I'd be feeling pretty good if I were a Costa Rica fan right now.
How did Poland win 8 games during qualifying with this team?
Ya gotta beat Paraguay!
Shouldn't be too hard, but they have had some good sides before.
"How did Poland win 8 games during qualifying with this team?"
It wasn't the toughest group out there, that's for sure. Even so, Poland have been worse than I expected. Or Ecuador have been better; hard to tell :o)
"You gotta dollar in your pocket, you're ok. Speaks volumes." (commentator referring to Ecuador using US$$ as their currency)
How did the US fall into their group?
The groups are picked on a weighted scale. Had we not been ranked #5, we probably would have gotten an easier group, like Mexico did (Portugal, Iran, Angola), instead, we got a tough group (Czech, Italy, Ghana)
The USA impressed me immensly the last world cup. And in a game early this year against Norway team USA was stunning.
If I was Czech or Italian I would be worried about facing the United States.
I think it is truly a group that could go either way.
Remember that in the European championship two years ago, Italy did not even make it out of a group consisting of Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Bulgaria.
Heck if Drogba is on fire, we could even see Ghana and the US advance.
Though I would not bet much cash on that outcome.
However, I think team USA stands a great chance.
Looking forward to monday.
Cheers.
I'm nervous as hell about our team. I do not want a repeat of 98.
I like our team, but I have some doubts about our defense. We have a great goalie, but defenders don't do much for me. I hope McBride has the golden foot though. He is a great guy, I met him and Mastroeni and Wynalda once. They were just happy to be recognized.
Man, I´m also pressing thumbs for the Poles! WTF are you guys doing right now?? I wanna see two goals for the Poles from now at least!!!
Thanks for the list, could you please add me to it??
Greetz from the host nation. :-)
No ill will intended, but there's something ironic about a guy named I. Hurtado writhing in pain for Ecuador.
This is Ghana's first World Cup too, and they are supposed to be good.
Can someone please explain to me why stretchers are needed for these minimal contact incidents? Is it just the death throes all these soccer players go through if they're touched? Jeez.
Yeah, but I don't see a single African team making it out of groups. Its a very weak African representation. No Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal or S. Africa.
I can't get too fired up over Togo, Cot'e de Ivorie, or Ghana.
Tunisa is fairly good though.
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